Spirit

ARTICLES ABOUT SPIRIT BY DATE - PAGE 2

Trey Hofer can't stand on his own or speak a single word, but the 8-year-old can easily warm up a room with coos, squeals and hugs. Trey was born with a Partial Trisomy 11 & 22 Syndrome, a rare chromosomal occurrence that resulted in physical and developmental disorders, said his mother, Jennifer Cowles. Cowles said she, her sister and mother were all tested for the gene after Trey was born and were all diagnosed with it. After Trey was born, he was given eight months to live.

Generous hearts during the holiday season help local groups that seek both donations and volunteers this time of year. Many local organizations, agencies and businesses collect gifts during the Christmas season, and those presents make their way to less-fortunate youngsters before the holiday. Other groups seek food items or cash contributions to assist the needy in the region. And others still just need volunteers willing to, for instance, help ring bells. A list of some giving and volunteering opportunities in the area follows: &middotGifts for Redfield collects presents for clients at the South Dakota Development Center in Redfield.

The Spirit Riders Motorcycle Club would like to thank the following for helping to make our Bow Wow Boogie Benefit ride and picnic a success: the Freedom Riders for their attendance and financial support; Casey Weismantel, Stacy Oliver, Hub City Radio, and American News for their ads; and Wal-Mart, Ken's, Airport Cafe, Millstone, Pizza Ranch, Daddy's, Max & Ermas, IHOP and Mavericks who all donated gift certificates for raffle prizes. Joy Schwan Spirit Riders Secretary, Aberdeen

WEST FARGO, N .D. -- Autonomous Tractor Corp. skipped the much-ballyhooed field demonstration for its tank-like driverless tractor at the Big Iron farm show, held Sept. 11 through 13. The "Spirit" tractor prototype was there only as a static exhibit -- still a hit, as developers answered questions from show-goers. Terry Anderson, a businessman who lives in Spearfish, S.D., said there was a late change in the system that couldn't be fully tested. He was busy even before the show started, talking with a John Deere marketing executive who said he admired the concept for its "out-of-the-box" thinking.

Jon Lawrence cradles his 2-year-old daughter, Sophia, as he surveys the 36 photographs in a glass case at the entrance to the Spirit Lake Recreation Center, a gathering place and playground for children of the reservation. The 36 men who look back at Lawrence, who look back at the children as they troop in to play basketball or computer games, are men of the tribe, residents of the reservation. They range in age from 23 to 76, and each has been convicted of a crime, a particularly offensive crime - sexual abuse of a minor, aggravated incest, rape - and required to register as a sex offender.

Marjorie Thoelke of Britton will be honored at the Spirit of Dakota 26th anniversary celebration and awards banquet. She is one of 15 women who have been nominated for the statewide women's award, which will be presented Oct. 6 in Huron. According to the release, the award recognizes a woman who has best demonstrated vision, courage and strength of character in the areas of family, community and state. Tickets for the awards banquet, which is being held at the Huron Event Center, can be purchased by calling the Huron Chamber office at 605-352-0000 or 800-487-6673.

The Aberdeen Roncalli Booster Club will host its third annual Roncalli Spirit Night from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday at the AmericInn in Aberdeen. There will be door prizes and a free taco bar with pop or water for Cavalier parents, friends and alumni. Season passes will be available to buy and you can register to win two free parking spots at home Roncalli games.

Aleece Jung didn't buy much college clothing during her four years as an undergraduate at Northern State University. But this year might be different. "Typically, we just get a lot of sports apparel (but) this just looks kind of contemporary and fun," she said, gesturing to some of the print shirts hanging on the walls of Northern's bookstore. College bookstores' buying process starts months in advance with vendors coming by with potential clothing samples. After making an initial selection, the bookstores receive samples and images of the apparel to determine what the logo will look like.

The Olympic phenomenon is hard to explain. As a country we complain about so much, blame others for our lot in life and do what we can to get as much as possible with as little work as possible. And then the Olympics comes around. For a few days every two years, we can come together and remember what it is that makes our country great. We remember the hard work and dedication that it takes to be great and the amazing stories and show of perseverance that make up our Olympic teams.

The members of the Spirit Riders Motorcycle Club have canceled their bike run scheduled for Saturday. The group instead will be joining the Camp Dreammakers ride Saturday. For information, call Craig at 605-228-1976.